Zhang Kui's Journey to the West in the Investiture of the Gods

Back in his tent, Zhang Kui sat alone at his desk, the firelight illuminating his complex and enigmatic face.

"Chong Houhu..." he murmured the name. As a transmigrator, in his mind, this person was almost synonymous with "treacherous" and "cannon fodder," a flat villain in the Investiture of the Gods story, a stepping stone destined to be defeated.

All of Zhang Kui's previous responses were based on this sense of superiority as a "prophet," carrying a detached and playful attitude, as if he were watching a drama whose ending he already knew.

But today, Chong Houhu's genuine, even resolute, paternal love shattered his illusory "God's-eye view" like a heavy hammer. He wasn't a two-dimensional villain, but a living, breathing person, flesh and blood, capable of fear and calculation, but ultimately willing to die for his son.

"So... this is the truth?" Zhang Kui murmured to himself, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up inside him.

He recalled everything that had happened since his transmigration. Relying on his vague memories of the original work, he had been striving to "level up" and "break through" with an almost utilitarian mindset, thinking about how to survive the Investiture of the Gods calamity and even gain benefits. He awakened his witch blood, befriended Wen Zhong, and cultivated supernatural powers. Everything seemed positive, but deep down, he always felt a sense of detachment as an "observer," feeling that he was separated from this world of blood and fire, of Tao and law, by an invisible wall.

He saw the vastness of this world, the mystery of cultivation, and the cruelty of war, but he never truly "saw" each and every individual in this world—their desires, their fears, their reality.

Chong Houhu's actions today were like a needle, unexpectedly piercing Zhang Kui's protective shell. It made him realize that he was no longer just a reader holding a book, but truly living in this era, becoming a part of the torrent. Everyone here, regardless of their ultimate fate, has their own unique and vibrant life in this time and place.

The impact of this realization far surpasses that of any battle.

It's about existence, about identity.

A strange emotion welled up within him, a mix of realization, emotion, and even a touch of shame. His previous sense of superiority and detachment, fueled by premonition, now seemed so shallow and laughable.

He closed his eyes, no longer thinking about how to "use" the prophet, but began to truly and calmly "feel"—feel the breath of wind and snow outside the tent, feel the clanging of armor plates as soldiers patrolled, feel the Daoist rhythm flowing through the golden core in his body, feel the throbbing of the ancient power deep in his blood, and even feel the struggles and joys of countless people like Chong Houhu, Chong Yingbiao, and even ordinary soldiers under the bitter cold of the north.

His heart, like a pebble thrown into a lake, finally sank, no longer floating on the surface, but slowly sinking to the "bottom" of this world to touch the real and rough mud and sand.

In this peculiar, immersive state of enlightenment, Zhang Kui suddenly felt the golden elixir within his dantian tremble slightly.

The surface of the golden core, which was originally as stable as a mountain and perfectly flawless, suddenly experienced a rapid increase in the speed at which the three lines engraved with divine power patterns flowed, becoming more agile and natural, and its connection with the outside world became even closer and more seamless. The golden core itself also became more translucent, and the tiny void inside seemed to expand slightly, able to contain more and purer Daoist essence.

This profound understanding and harmonious state of mind triggered a sublimation of the Golden Core's essence. He felt as if his soul had been cleansed, becoming clearer, and his perception of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth had also greatly improved. Previously, the solid bottleneck had subtly loosened at this moment, and the barrier of the Celestial Immortal Dao Fruit had already shown a tiny crack before him, allowing him to glimpse the even more vast and mysterious scenery beyond.

"The path to immortality lies in comprehending the universe and merging with it..." Wen Zhong's words from the past surfaced in Zhang Kui's mind. Only now did Zhang Kui truly understand that "merging with the universe" was not merely a communication of magical power, but also a recognition and commitment of one's state of mind.

He had always been "drifting" and his heart had never truly settled into this world, so how could he truly "integrate" into it?

Zhang Kui quietly savored the wonderful feeling brought about by this change in state of mind, allowing his golden elixir to naturally absorb the gifts of this enlightenment and consolidate this unexpected opportunity.

Zhang Kui spent several days in this rare state of enlightenment.

During this period, he did not cause any further trouble for Chong Houhu, and all affairs of the rear army returned to normal. Chong Houhu was also unusually well-behaved, even taking the initiative to deliver some military documents to Zhang Kui's camp, adopting an extremely humble posture.

Until one day, auspicious clouds and propitious omens swept in from the northern horizon.

Wen Zhong led the immortals of the Jie Sect back.

Soon, the news spread throughout the camp that the Northern Darkness Ice Soul Cold Light Formation had been broken.

It turned out that when the Golden Light Holy Mother saw how powerful the formation was, and how the Qi Immortal Yu Yuan was injured, and how the Four Saints of Nine Dragons Island could only barely hold on, she quickly returned to Golden Turtle Island and invited nine other Daoist friends (Qin Tianjun, Zhao Tianjun, Dong Tianjun, Yuan Tianjun, Sun Tianjun, Bai Tianjun, Yao Tianjun, Wang Tianjun, and Zhang Tianjun) to set up the Ten Deadly Formations that were famous throughout the prehistoric world.

The ten interconnected formations, one against another, forcefully channeled the Northern Darkness's chilling aura into the formations, dissolving and transforming it, ultimately breaking through the Northern Darkness Ice Soul Cold Light Formation of the Overturning Sea Ancestor. The rebel army and the demon race suffered heavy losses, and seeing the situation was dire, the Overturning Sea Ancestor used water magic to escape.

The army returned in triumph, and the camp was filled with jubilation.

Inside the command tent, Wen Zhong was listening to reports from all sides. When he heard that Chong Houhu was requesting an audience, he nodded slightly in agreement.

Chong Houhu entered the command tent, bowed respectfully, and then presented his prepared resignation.

"Grand Tutor, Your Majesty's birthday is approaching, a momentous occasion for all. As the Marquis of the North, it is my duty to return to Chaoge ahead of time to prepare celebratory gifts and demonstrate my loyalty. Furthermore, the military's provisions and supplies have been smoothly managed recently. General Zhang Kui is exceptionally capable, experienced in escorting and logistics, and has recently rendered great service, demonstrating his improved skills. He is fully capable of undertaking this important task. I humbly request that Your Majesty grant me permission to return to the capital with my son, Ying Biao. I dare to recommend General Zhang Kui for the position of Commander of the Rear Army, as this will ensure that the army's logistics are not delayed."

Chong Houhu's words were impeccable and sincere, fully embodying the attitude of being loyal to the country and dedicated to appointing the virtuous and capable.

Wen Zhong gazed intently at Chong Houhu for a moment. With such a great victory at the front, Chong Houhu's request to resign and return to court to prepare for the emperor's birthday celebrations was perfectly justified.

As for Zhang Kui, Wen Zhong considered his abilities and cultivation level, and he was indeed the most suitable candidate. He vaguely guessed that something might have happened between Chong Houhu and Zhang Kui, but since both sides were willing to maintain a superficial peace, and it was beneficial to the overall situation, he was naturally happy to see it happen. Sometimes, those in positions of power are like this: if they are not deaf and blind, they are not fit to be in charge.

"allow."

Wen Zhong spoke calmly, "The Marquis of Bei has had a long and arduous journey. Upon his return to the capital, I, the Grand Tutor, will personally inform the King of the Marquis's merits. As for the rear army, Zhang Kui will take over, as you have suggested."

"Thank you, Grand Tutor!" Chong Houhu bowed deeply, finally feeling a huge weight lifted from his heart.

That day, Chong Houhu, along with Chong Yingbiao and a few close confidants, quickly left the Beihai military camp with a small entourage and headed towards Chaoge. Their figures soon disappeared into the vast snowfield.

Soon, the official appointment documents were issued to the rear army.

When Zhang Kui received the appointment as the commander of the rear army, he was not too surprised.

Afterwards, he went to the central command tent to express his gratitude to Wen Zhong.

Wen Zhong encouraged him a few words, without delving into the details of his sudden increase in cultivation. He simply instructed him: "The rear guard is the lifeline of the army. You must be cautious, be clear about rewards and punishments, and take control of the situation as soon as possible."

"This subordinate understands," Zhang Kui replied solemnly.

After leaving the command tent, Zhang Kui went directly to the rear army's main camp to officially take over various affairs.

On the desk, thick volumes of documents and files were piled up like a mountain. One of them was a roster of all officers, monks, and special talents in the rear army.

Zhang Kui sat alone behind the desk, opening the heavy roster. The silk cloth was finely woven, and the handwriting varied in shade, recording many names and brief information.

He quickly scanned the list, his gaze sweeping over each name. Gradually, several familiar names caught his eye.

Zheng Lun: A lieutenant general in the rear guard, highly skilled in martial arts, and suspected of possessing supernatural abilities; he can emit white light from his nostrils to defend himself against enemies. (Note: His lineage is unknown; he was transferred from the Jizhou army to the Beihai army three years ago, and rose to the rank of lieutenant general through meritorious service.)

Chen Qi: A transport captain under the command of the rear army's grain officer, known for his great strength and taciturn nature, and skilled at using his yellow breath against the enemy. (Note: His lineage is unknown; he rose through the ranks to become a captain through meritorious service since joining the army.)

Wu Wenhua: Leader of the civilian laborers in the rear army's supply battalion. He is honest and straightforward, over ten feet tall, with an astonishing appetite and the strength to lift a cauldron. (Note: He is often reprimanded for his excessive appetite, but he can carry supplies as well as dozens of others.)

……

Zhang Kui's gaze lingered between the three names.

The two future generals, Heng and Ha, are now both in the Northern Navy, and even in their respective rear armies. And what about Wu Wenhua... the fierce general in the Investiture of the Gods who raided the Zhou camp at night, slaying dragons and tigers, and killing thirty or forty Zhou generals? Now he's just a laborer captain with a big appetite?

If Zhang Kui had seen these names a few days ago, he might have been excited to have found "famous figures" and started planning how to recruit them for his own use as the core of the future battle for the gods.

But now, having been moved by the Chong Houhu incident and undergone a transformation in his mindset, his thoughts are different.

What he saw was no longer just symbols like "Zheng Lun," "Chen Qi," and "Wu Wenhua" that represented future divine positions.

Instead, there is Zheng Lun, a skilled but unsuccessful lieutenant; Chen Qi, an exceptionally brave but unknown captain; and Wu Wenhua, a kind-hearted giant with superhuman strength but who is looked down upon because of his large appetite.

They are living, breathing people with their own circumstances and joys and sorrows, not just names on the future list of gods.

"The War of the Gods..." Zhang Kui closed the roster, his fingertips lightly tapping the table, his gaze hardening.

He wanted to truly integrate into this world, to observe with his own eyes, to judge with his own heart, and to protect something with his own strength.

In the rear army, he was willing to discover and cultivate these talents scattered on the roster, regardless of whether they would become "famous" in the future, as long as they had ability and good character, and give them the positions and respect they deserved.

What he wanted to build was not merely a "team" to cope with calamities, but a team that could truly be relied upon and fought alongside. A force that could be depended on no matter how the future changed.

He called out loudly, "Someone come here!"

A bodyguard entered in response.

"Issue the order," Zhang Kui decisively ordered, "that Zheng Lun, the deputy general of the rear army, Chen Qi, the escort captain under the grain commissioner of the rear army, and... Wu Wenhua, the leader of the civilian laborers of the rear army's supply battalion, come to my tent for a talk after morning exercises tomorrow."

"Yes!" Although the guard was somewhat puzzled as to why he had to meet these seemingly unrelated people, he still accepted the order and left.